Motivation Please!

At the moment, me and my friends are suffering from a really serious lack of motivation... Having had such great summers travelling/chilling/working/socialising, it's now so hard to get back into the routine of work. Despite having a mound of reading to do, music to practice, UCAS to sort, I'm finding blogging and sleeping a great way of staying in denial. Sometimes it's easier to just stare at a wall and eat biscuits, but we all know with only one year left, it's worth putting the effort in for the final result. So! Instead of complaining and being down about it (because there's no way out of it without being comatised/emigrating), I've decided to start looking at the short term, finding some motivation so that I can get through this year as pain-freely as possible. If you are similarly suffering, here's some ideas to help (if you know an easier option, please share!!)

Motivation!

Eyes on the prize.  Remember that despite it being a chore, it is worth it. Whether you want to get into Uni or employment, take advantage of the last year of guaranteed free education. You'll thank yourself in the future for putting the effort in now, even if you hate yourself for it at the moment.

Rewards! All work and no play makes no one very fun. So, if you know you've got plans for the weekend, put the effort in in the week so that you can enjoy a few days with your brain switch off, guilt free. Or, if you haven't got anything planned, do something to treat yourself when you finish a horrible piece of work - whether it's reading a trashy magazine, watching a film, or just having a bubble bath and early night, it's important not to get bogged down.

Don't be unrealistic. There is only so much we can all manage, so don't set yourself ridiculous targets, like finishing two essays the night before they have to be in, or planning to read a book every week until your exams - it's not going to happen, and you'll feel like you're letting yourself down. Give yourself some tough love, and think about what really is better, even if it means compromising your time slightly.

Think for yourself. Even if your friends aren't working, and you feeling like you're being the boring one, it's you that matters. Know how you work best, and fit around that, don't be tempted to just not bother with work because others aren't - it'll catch up with them eventually....

Gap year/Summer/Holidays! - This one is pretty specific to my friends, as there's a fair few of us hoping to all be able to enjoy a year off together, without worrying about retakes. Knowing you can really enjoy your holidays without thinking about work is the best feeling - put the effort in in term time, so that you can relax without feeling bad :-) 

I'm going to have to keep reading this back to myself to keep my going this term, and the next, and the next... But I know it'll be worth it, so I'm just going to have to get on with it! X